A split in the spectrum? The ongoing battle to define autism
A debate has emerged regarding the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) following a significant rise in cases in England. Professor Dame Uta Frith has suggested that some individuals may be misdiagnosed, sparking backlash from charities and the autistic community who argue her views undermine their identity and access to support.
Why it matters
The debate highlights the tension between clinical diagnostic standards and the lived experiences of the neurodivergent community.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Catherine Burns Health correspondent BBC If someone asked you to think of an autistic person, who would come to mind?
Maybe Greta Thunberg, who says being different can be a superpower.
Or Robbie Williams, who has recently revealed he's found out that he has "a bit of autism".
What about someone like 34-year old James Fitzpatrick? He doesn't talk, has a learning disability and needs constant care.
A diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) means someone has certain core characteristics including differences in how they communicate and behave. It's an umbrella term that includes people with very different experiences.
In recent years there has been an explosion in the number of people with an autism diagnosis on their GP record. In England, it has gone from just over 700,000 three years ago to around 1.1 million today.
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